Deux-Montagnes, December 13, 2019 – The Martin administration presented its budget for 2020 before yesterday’s regular city council meeting. For the coming year, the Deux-Montagnes residents will see a tax increase of just 0.82%, well below the projected inflation rate of 2%.

This is the fifth consecutive year where tax increases in Deux-Montagnes came in below the inflation rate. The very low increase was achieved despite the increase in snow removal costs in Deux-Montagnes, as elsewhere in Quebec. The portion of the expenses incurred and not reimbursed for the dike was also an additional budgetary challenge.

The city’s rigorous budget is part of the process initiated six years ago to more responsibly manage public funds. Mayor Denis Martin is proud to acknowledge his team’s sound management practices. “I’m truly proud of the city’s financial performance. I would like to thank both our elected officials and our management team for their efforts in redesigning a budget that better respects the ability of the Deux-Montagnes residents to pay.”

Indeed, solid management, as well as various other factors, is behind Deux-Montagnes being ranked the No. 1 in city in Quebec for quality of life in 2019 by Maclean’s magazine. Deux-Montagnes was also ranked as the No. 4 best place to live in Quebec by L’actualité magazine. “It is rigorous financial management and the professionalism of our managers that allow Deux-Montagnes to stand out to this extent,” Mayor Martin said.

2020 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

• Significant decrease in financing costs due to debt reduction over the past five years.
• The three-year capital construction program provides for investments of more than $9 million in 2020, 70% of which are funded through grants or reserves.
• Investment of more than $1 million in Parc Armitage (corner Chemin Oka and 26e Avenue), which will undergo a real metamorphosis in the coming months. The park will be transformed into an intergenerational park offering attractions for the whole family.
• Boulevard Deux-Montagnes will be completely redone from the station.
• Renewal of wheeled equipment for the public works department, especially for snow removal and for the acquisition of electric vehicles.
• $500,000 investment to purchase blue wheeled bins to standardize bins used in collecting recyclable materials throughout the city.

To review the 2020 budget, please click on the following link (PDF in french only) :  Présentation du budget 2020